12 of the Absolute Best Ab Workout Machines

Whether you’re looking to lose belly fat, slim down those love handles, or get refined-looking ab muscles, you need to know which are the best ab workout machines that you can use – whether at the gym or in a home setting. The list below is a helpful guide to slimming down a jiggly belly and strengthening your core. So, without further ado, here are some of our favorite machines for a great ab workout with a surprise contender added in. Ready to find out more? Let’s take a look.

12 best ab workout machines

In no particular order, except to save the best for last, we present to you our list of the best ab workout machines below.

The ab roller

You’ll find the ab roller in most gyms. This piece of exercise equipment is great for an ab workout because it can increase your core strength while flattening your stomach. It’s excellent for strengthening the back, too, and can also help you to improve your posture. It looks like a wheel with handles on either side which you hold onto and roll backward and forwards while keeping your body in balance. This one is great as a low-impact exercise and is particularly good for those with knee injuries.

The ab bench

This bench provides you with a solid platform that enables you to target your ab muscles and core area. You essentially use it as a support for performing abdominal exercises such as sit-ups and crunches. You can also do inclined Russian twists on this equipment.

The Roman chair a.k.a. hyperextension bench

When you position yourself correctly on this piece of exercise equipment, you are essentially keeping your upper body still while lifting your knees and/or legs toward your abdomen. It requires quite a lot of core strength because you are essentially using your own lower body weight as resistance. However, it is a great piece of equipment that will target your abs, lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. It’s also a powerful option for those who have suffered back injuries. This one is also on our list of best ab workout machines.

The ab rocker

Tired of doing sit-ups that hurt your waist? Why not try the ab rocker? When you position yourself correctly on this machine, you are essentially ready to do a sit-up in a rocking motion. The machine provides enough resistance and you can add more to it for a stronger core workout. It is adjustable and can also help target your shoulders and lower back muscles without placing strain on your back. As such, it is ideal for people with lower back pain or spinal injuries.

The sit-up machine

The adjustable sit-up machine is another ab cruncher. But apart from crunches, you can also use them to do leg raises and sit-ups.

The cable machine

Just like the name suggests, this machine involves cables. What you have to do is add resistance or weights to it and then pull the cables whilst engaging in various poses such as side planks with a cable holder. This specific exercise with the cable machine offers constant tension on the rectus abdominis but it’s also well-suited for a variety of other ab exercises, which we will cover below.

The rowing machine

The rowing machine is primarily known as a back-strengthening exercise. However, it’s also good for abs. Because it requires the full range of motion from every muscle in your body, you’re much more likely to get a good ab workout from this machine as well. An example of how you can target your abs using this piece of equipment is doing knee tucks. It is one of the best ab workout machines you’ll find in a gym.

The pull-up bar

Contrary to popular belief, the pull-up bar is not just for getting ripped biceps. It’s also a wonderful workout for your core. To use this equipment properly, you will need to raise your body off the floor with your arms. And apart from the fact that this takes a lot of upper body strength, this is where it gets harder. You now have to twist your legs at the waist while doing one side and then the other. Another alternative is to raise your knees or your legs as parallel to the ground as possible. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

The incline bench

This is a bench that is inclined. When you sit or lay down on it, you then have to raise your body using your core muscles to ensure that you target them effectively. This is where you can do crunches and sit-ups. And although it relies on your body weight for resistance, it is one of the best ab workout machines.

The elliptical trainer

Although it’s called a cardio machine because it helps you work out a sweat, don’t be fooled by this machine because it’s a great way of toning your abs. One exercise in particular that you can do with the elliptical trainer is to simply let go of the handles so that you place greater focus on the rest of your muscles, including your abs. Because the speed is adjustable, the faster you go, the more calories you’re likely to burn while chiseling down to rock-hard abs.

The stair climber

All you have to do with the stair climber is to climb stairs. But to enhance your workout, you may wish to skip a stair and take two at a time while increasing your speed. While it is a cardio workout that targets the entire body, your abs won’t miss out.

Whole body vibration plate

And of course, we saved the best ab workout machine for last – the whole body vibration plate. Much like the name implies, this is a plate that you stand on which vibrates at a high frequency and with a high G-force to stimulate every muscle in your body. You have two options with this machine: you can simply stand on it for a few minutes a day or you can perform other exercises while you’re on it.

Examples of such exercises include sit-ups and crunches, knee raises, and more. Of course, the beauty of it all is that you will be able to enjoy its high effectiveness from the comfort of your own home. Because of its high-frequency vibrations, your muscles are forced to work that much harder meaning that you get a double- or triple-effect workout in the same amount of time.

In conclusion

When it comes to shedding belly fat and getting a ripped core (six-pack, anyone?), it’s vital to choose among the best ab workout machines to target your abdominal muscles. Yes, you can certainly do multiple repetitions of the same exercise and slowly wait for your body to get chiseled.

However, you can cut your workout time drastically with a whole-body vibration plate. The force and frequency this machine uses have been proven to work with multiple independent labs verifying the results and quality of the workout. If you’re interested in a piece of home gym equipment that requires little space and which enhances your workout, then this one is definitely for you.

Resources:
https://www.insider.com/guides/health/fitness/best-ab-workouts-at-the-gym
https://www.livestrong.com/article/1006676-decline-crunches-vs-decline-situps/
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a26306006/best-gym-machines-abs/
https://www.verywellfit.com/best-ab-machines-4157451